Former Kae Pong Site, Track No. 22613-A-R1 (As Lito, Saipan)
The Former Kae Pong Site (Tract No. 22613-A-R1) is located in the south-central plains in the village of As Lito, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). A Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) was conducted by Koa Consulting (Koa). The Kae Pong site is within a plot of private land (former public land) consisting of 9,346 square meters (~2.3 acres). The property is immediately adjacent to a main thoroughfare (Route 37, or Chalan Msgr. Martinez road), in addition to several residential and commercial properties. The site is in an area that is zoned as mixed commercial.
The purpose of the Phase I ESA is to identify, to the extent feasible pursuant to the process prescribed in ASTM International (ASTM) E1527-13, recognized environmental conditions (RECs) in connection with the property. An REC means the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at a property: (1) due to any release to the environment, (2) under conditions indicative of a release to the environment, or (3) under conditions that pose a material threat of a future release to the environment. The ASTM E1527-13 practice constitutes all appropriate inquiries (AAIs) for the purpose of Landowner Liability Protections, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This ESA reflects the observations, information, and data collected by Koa during the period of August 2021 to March 2022.
The Phase I ESA conducted by Koa Consulting identified the following recognized environmental conditions (RECs) in connection with the subject site:
- There is evidence of petroleum product, in the form of used oil, and residual byproduct present within and surrounding a concrete berm which encloses approximately thirty-three (33) corroded steel 55-gallon drums.
- There is evidence of petroleum product and other automotive fluids (transmission fluid, lube oil, hydraulic oil, coolants, etc.) present within and around the following spaces: A.) The main auto shop area; B.) The various junk vehicles and piles of used tires scattered throughout and; C.) The approximately eight (8) 20’ and 40’ shipping containers found on site.
- There is the potential for diesel fuel and other petroleum product release from the (assumed) generator within one of the 20’ shipping containers observed on site
Koa Consulting presented the following professional opinion:
- Based on the results of this Phase I ESA, including the results of the site reconnaissance, interviews, and records review, Koa Consulting is of the opinion that there is considerable potential that the identified RECs have impacted the environmental integrity of the subject site and further site investigation in the form of an ASTM Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is warranted to address them.